General Cycling Discussion - Online Bike Shops?

ok... i'm all in favor of support the lbs around my areas, but sometimes, i can't get there in time to buy what i want. therefore, can someone point out some online shops to buy from? by that, i mean besides nashbar, performance bike and supergo. any other ones out there? i've been looking for some 17" hardrock.. but none of the lbs has them. they said that the 17" hardrock is backordered.. is that true? so i want to check out some online shops to see what i can find there.. please post them if you got them. thanks!

rui

I was under the impression specialized didn't sell their bikes online nor at unauthorized bike retailers.

I was under the impression specialized didn't sell their bikes online nor at unauthorized bike retailers.

well that's what i thought too. thus far i found specialized bike on supergo.. but it's only for in store pick up only.

I've never seen Specialized bikes sold online, at least not for delivery (always in-store pickup) e.g. they're really just using the online selling as a form of advertising.

Alfred E. Bike (http://aebike.com/site/intro.cfm) is a great place to buy parts etc online. Great service.

If the Specialized dealers in your area are saying a 17" Hardrock is backordered, it probably is. You might just have to wait....

I've never seen Specialized bikes sold online, at least not for delivery (always in-store pickup) e.g. they're really just using the online selling as a form of advertising.

Alfred E. Bike (http://aebike.com/site/intro.cfm) is a great place to buy parts etc online. Great service.

If the Specialized dealers in your area are saying a 17" Hardrock is backordered, it probably is. You might just have to wait....

it's odd how specialized isn't sold online. oh well.. guess i'll have to wait or something.. grr....

it's odd how specialized isn't sold online. oh well.. guess i'll have to wait or something.. grr....
Not really... I think you'll find it has a lot to do with protecting their brand image. Keeping their sales through reputable, qualified dealers ensures product quality and service (at least to an extent). Many manufacturers in a heckuva lot of different industries/markets follow the same principle.

it's odd how specialized isn't sold online. oh well.. guess i'll have to wait or something.. grr....

Neither Specialized nor Trek permit online sales. Probably more about protecting their dealer's terrirories than anything. Shimano also does not permit online sales except for authorized internet retailers

Not really... I think you'll find it has a lot to do with protecting their brand image. Keeping their sales through reputable, qualified dealers ensures product quality and service (at least to an extent). Many manufacturers in a heckuva lot of different industries/markets follow the same principle.

true i agree. likewise this way it'll be easier for them to control the market price. regardless.. guess i'll have to wait and see when they will have more in stock. some shops i been to won't bring in more until their other size frame is sold.

one of the lbs wanted me to buy the 19" instead of the 17"... and i said no. but they kept on pushing.. so that's definitely a shop i won't go back to. i even told them that i have a 20.5" rockhopper already and want a frame that fits me (i'm 5'8") .. 19" is still too big for me. i can ride it.. but it's not that comfy for me.

Do you have a friend in another state that could check with their LBS and then send it to you if they find the bike you're looking for?

Koffee

We can't get any. There are several models in limited supply.

Do you have a friend in another state that could check with their LBS and then send it to you if they find the bike you're looking for?

Koffee

unfortunately.. no..